The National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall under the Ministry of Culture was designed by the modernist architect, Wang Da-hong, and designated as a municipal historic building by the Department of Cultural Affairs of Taipei City Government on May 3, 2019. It is one of the most representative public buildings in Taiwan. This year, the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall extends the concept of in-depth cultural exploration by specially planning the “Guided Tours to Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s History and Multicultural Architecture,” integrating Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s thoughts of promoting ethnic integration, social progress, and modernization. Through the guided tours of historic buildings, modern structures, and indigenous culture, the public will visit different places in Taiwan and experience the cultural value and historical context carried by architecture。
This event will run from April 26 to July 26, covering Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Taitung. There will be ten routes, and each is planned as a half-day trip. Professor Shyu Ming-song of Ming Chuan University’s Department of Architecture, along with other experts and scholars, will serve as the guides. They will lead the participants to have a deeper understanding of the architectural characteristics and social developments in different periods and raise awareness of cultural heritage conservation through on-site exploration and professional interpretation。
The five routes in Taipei (April 26-27, May 24-25, July 12) will explore Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary legacy and the modern architectural development in Taiwan. The itineraries include the Sun Yat-sen Memorial House, Chung Shan Hall, and Dadaocheng Historic Buildings, as well as Sanming Building, Jiaxing Building, and Songshan Airport, the modern buildings designed by architects such as Wang Da-hung, Chen Chi-kwan, and Kao Erh-pan, delving into the integration of historical contexts and architectural concepts。
There will be three routes in Tainan and Taichung (June 14-15, 28), focusing on how architecture embodies social welfare through public buildings, religious structures, and social welfare facilities. The itineraries will include Xingying Catholic Church, Baihe Daxian Temple, and Nanmen Labor Recreation Center in Tainan City as well as Dongshi District Office and Dongshi District Farmers’ Association in Taichung City. The relationship between these buildings and social development will be analyzed to demonstrate the value of spatial design in public service and social care。
The two routes in Taitung (May 15, July 26) will explore the Austronesian culture and matriarchal tribal architecture by visiting Old Xianglan Historical Site, Tamalakaw, and the tribes of Paiwan, Amis, and Puyuma. Participants will experience the architectural wisdom and environmental adaptability of Taiwan’s indigenous tribes and appreciate the cultural characteristics and expressions of different ethnic groups in architectural spaces。
The National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall sincerely invites the public interested in architecture, history, and culture to participate in the guided tours across time and space and experience the deep connection between architectural spaces and social developments. The registration for the first route will open at 10AM on April 15 (Tue.). To ensure quality, the Taitung route (May 10) is limited to 15 participants, while all the other routes are limited to 25 participants. The registration will be closed when it is full. For more information about the event and registration, please visit the official website of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall at www.yatsen.gov.tw or the registration webpage or call the service division at (02) 2758-8008, ext. 535, 725。